Gabriel Garland, the Love Island contestant removed from the villa before his TV debut over past stabbing allegations, has spoken out to deny having a criminal record and to clarify his involvement in the incident.
Garland addresses the allegations
In a video posted on Instagram, the 24-year-old model confirmed that he was present at a party on New Year's Eve 2019 in Casewick Road, London, where two victims were stabbed by his friend, Vitor Mazzer, then 18. Garland was named in Mazzer's court documents for allegedly having an altercation with the victims but was not charged with any offences.
"There was an incident that happened at a party I was at when I was a teenager," Garland said. "This incident is obviously one that should not be taken lightly and was very traumatic for everyone concerned." He added: "I just wanted to make it clear that the legal judge has found no wrongdoing against me, and I don't have a criminal record."
Impact on his Love Island journey
Garland entered the villa as part of Casa Amor on day 23 of the current season but was removed on June 28 after ITV was alerted to his past. He expressed disappointment about leaving, saying he had already started "forming a really, really strong connection" that viewers "didn't get to see."
ITV confirmed his axing in a statement: "Gabriel has now left the villa and will not be returning." Garland's removal came shortly after fellow Islander George Knight also left prematurely due to "private reasons," later revealed to be family health issues, though reports emerged that Knight was asked to leave for using a slur.
Legal context and background checks
While Garland faced no legal repercussions, Mazzer was sentenced to three and a half years in jail for two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent; his appeal was denied in April 2024. Garland, aged 17 at the time, had a character statement provided by his mother in court.
Audiences have demanded stricter background checks on future contestants, but because Garland had no convictions, the incident was not flagged during his application process. ITV executives declined to comment further, citing their "duty of care towards participants."
Wider Love Island controversies
The show has faced other controversies, including the removal of USA edition star Alannah Keyser for using racist slurs on social media. Keyser was removed mid-episode after using the N-word in a TikTok singing along to Roddy Ricch's 2019 song "The Box." She apologised, saying the word is "not in [her] vocabulary anymore."
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
